Spidermum - yes there will be a document which they can sign over to marriage from civil partnership.

For those who think that civil partnership is the same as marriage it isn't - not just legally but also socially. What does a person call their "civil partner"? At least when you are married you have a spouse and in society this relationship has more status than "partners".

My brother and his GF had a civil partnership abroad for work reasons. It is not seen by them, their families or society as a whole as equal to a marriage. We don't even know how to refer to her. They plan to marry properly which in itself shows that they see civil partnership and not a proper marriage.

Yes!!! With other elections / referendums I always respect people with an opposing view and am happy to understand their arguments but I have zERO respect for anyone who would vote no in this referendum!!! I would distance myself from a family member or friend if they were voting no as someone like that is not someone who I would want in my life !! I feel that it's more than just an opinion it's a direct reflection of personality

"They will still contract cancers earlier in life. The average life expectancy in same-sex relationships is 60 years. Statistically they are, more than average, subject to alcoholism, illegal drug abuse, depression, and suicide".

Quote taken from leaflet. I'd imagine without doubt that the statistics are higher for all the above because they are subjected to tripe like those leaflets on a regular basis.. I don't think I would be a strong enough person to deal with it myself..

Another leaflet I saw a few weeks back was "protect children from the sounds of sodomy" Google it it's quite intriguing 😏 not!!!

I will be voting yes. I think there shouldn't have to be a vote as I think no one should have the right to vote about things that doesn't concern them. Why should any straight person decide how gay people should live. I hope if one of my children grow up and tell me they are gay, that they can lead the same life as those that are not gay. They would still be the same person regardless. I think it's similar to the abortion vote. I will vote yes so that others can do as they please.

Haven't read all the replies but I can't actually believe there even IS a referendum on this. It should have just been made legal years ago. What on earth gives random people the right to determine whether two men/women are entitled to live as a married couple or not? It's effectively treating same-sex couples as second-class citizens. The mind truly boggles...

I will be voting yes, not because I agree with gay marriage or disagree with gay marriage, but because I think if two consenting adults want to get married its their own business and not the business of anyone else to decide for others who should and who shouldn,t be allowed marry.

It's no question for me, I will be voting yes but I have started to think about my very devout parents generation and am trying to imagine their pov. In my parents case they are kind and gentle and tolerant of all but I think they will struggle with this because to them marriage is to do with God. They would even be a bit upset at hearing about a civil ceremony between a man and woman as it's removing the commitment from the church iykwim.. they have no problem with gay people living their lives, although they were taught it was akin to paedophilia (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Growing up. I just don't know if they would be able to vote yes.. I look forward to discussing it with them in the run up. I would worry that the bulk of their generation would be similar, although many much more judgemental, and they are known to exercise their vote.

Listen SAmade, on a thread such as this the script is already written before it even starts. Someone says they are voting no and boom. I would prefer if the issues were debated rather than the person attacked. Sue me.

I respect you Parent2014 because you have come on here and genuinely debated and teased out your own pov and I believe you may have helped other non posters to think a bit more and question their own thinking on this highly emotive issue. Nobody's view point should be disrepcted unless they are inciting hatred and violence , we thankfully live in a democracy where everyone can contribute to the debate and ultimately vote in line with their own conscience and beliefs . Absolutely unnecessary to add fuel to the fire of the no vote by reducing this debate to a slanging match

Parent2014 You have contributed greatly to the debate on this thread and I am so sorry you feel abused for doing so. The fact that you might be changing your mind is all part of your maturity & humanity and alot of readers as opposed to posters on here are probably on the same journey.. I bet your son has a great mother and that he knows it.

I warned at the very beginning for people to be respectful but some people honestly can't seem to help themselves. You say what they don't want to hear and immediately they go into attack mode. Imo they do the yes side no favours at all. People probably lie to them all the time about what they intend to do in this referendum because to do otherwise is to invite trouble. Reasoned debate can change minds not name calling and the likes. You have to forensically understand people's resons for their no vote and then reply to the points raised but there's bugger all chance of that here because people constantly play the man and not the ball. It really sickens me. Imagine if you went to see a councellor and they kept telling you that's rubbish & pure stupid what you're saying. That would really help you to move on to where you needed to be, wouldn't it. Same kind of thing here.

There is no need for personal abuse but it's an emotional issue for a lot of people and that makes people angry. It's not an abstract vote, it affects our family and friends so it's very personal. It's hard to accept that our loved ones future rests in the hands of people who won't be affected one way or another. Why can't people who personally disagree with SSM make their vote on the basis of what other people's needs are. It's not a life or death situation, no one will get hurt if it's passed but it could bring so much happiness to so many. When do we ever get the chance to do that? I can't understand why anyone would vote no.